“I was born in 1922 on March 31. I was born in a sod house here. There is a lot changing—more and more changing. That’s the way it is. Today, our young people don’t have much work. We have got to do something for our young people; they need to think of who they are. They need to work together, and be reminded of their culture. That’s what we want, that’s the way we should be. I worked with the Council and for the school, for so many years, I retired from there.

The pictures {referring to the pictures behind him in the portrait} are important for your family. More history for your background.” —Issac Akootchook is an Inupiaq Elder from Kaktovik, Alaska.